Solo Leveling Owes Everything to Berserk For Its Success

This is the updated version of my series, “Solo Leveling is Deeper Than You Think.” In it, I examine the surprising complexity hidden within the popular South Korean action series, which is often seen as simply a power fantasy.

Like Guts from Berserk, Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling is a character who constantly faces hardship. He’s determined to overcome impossible challenges, confront death, and fight for the people he loves. Given this, it’s not surprising to find connections between the two series. Solo Leveling, especially in its artwork by DUBU and adaptation by h-goon, includes many references to Berserk.

Many consider Berserk a landmark dark fantasy, so it’s no surprise that Solo Leveling’s creator, DUBU, was heavily influenced by Kentaro Miura’s work. However, the inspiration goes beyond just appearances. Each reference to Berserk in Solo Leveling emphasizes that the series’ dark imagery and storytelling are deliberate choices. Solo Leveling aims to become as iconic and impactful as Berserk, and it’s arguably well on its way to achieving that goal.

Sung Jinwoo’s Story Begins With an Eclipse-Inspired Event

While Solo Leveling includes many references to Berserk, a particularly interesting connection appears in a less direct scene. The moment the protagonist is killed by the Statue of God at the Cartenon Temple strongly echoes Berserk‘s famous Eclipse. Though not as clear-cut a reference as some other Berserk nods in Solo Leveling, the parallels between the Double Dungeon and the Eclipse are notable.

Similar to the character Guts, Sung Jinwoo and his group encounter incredibly powerful monsters they can’t defeat. Most of Jinwoo’s companions are killed, and he himself is seriously injured, mirroring a traumatic event in Guts’s story. After this, Jinwoo’s path is set in motion. He’s chosen by a mysterious God to participate in a System, but what he doesn’t realize is that this selection actually foreshadows his eventual death.

Like Guts in Berserk, who is branded for sacrifice after a tragic event, Jinwoo is destined to die as a sacrifice. This parallel in their stories highlights the strong thematic connections between Solo Leveling and Berserk.

Solo Leveling Quotes The Same Nietzsche Quote as Berserk Does

It’s interesting that the manhwa Solo Leveling uses the same quote as Berserk, even if it isn’t a direct reference. The quote, from Friedrich Nietzsche’s Beyond Good and Evil, reads: “Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster… for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.”

The idea behind the quote first appears in the manga Berserk, chapter 220. While casting a spell, Schierke remembers her teacher, Flora, telling her, “Don’t forget… when you stare into the darkness, the darkness stares back.” A version closer to the original appears in manhwa Solo Leveling, chapter 34. As Kang Taeshik dies, he warns Jinwoo about the dangers of his power, saying, “Whoever fights monsters must be careful not to become one themselves. If you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”

I’ve noticed this Nietzsche quote pops up everywhere, and for good reason – it’s incredibly flexible in what it can mean. Seeing it used in both Solo Leveling and Berserk really struck me, though. It perfectly captures how those characters are always facing the worst parts of their worlds, and how they have to fight to avoid becoming just as bad as the enemies they’re battling. It really shows how similar those two stories are at their core.

Sung Jinwoo’s Coldest Moment in Season 2 Was a Direct Berserk Reference

As a huge fan of both Berserk and Solo Leveling, I totally noticed a really cool nod to Berserk in Season 2! It happens during the Red Gate Arc, specifically in chapter 52 of the manhwa. There’s this intense scene where Kim Chul is grilling Park Heejin, convinced she’s hiding something about the group’s supplies. He basically gives her a countdown, threatening to make her whole team pay if she doesn’t spill the beans – it’s a direct echo of a famous scene with Griffith and the Band of the Hawk! It’s awesome to see these kinds of influences woven into Solo Leveling.

As Chul begins to count to three, Sung Jinwoo unexpectedly appears and knocks him unconscious with a blow from behind, calling out “four.” This moment directly references a famous scene in the manga Berserk. In Chapter 42, Casca is threatened by Silat, who demands she tell her group to surrender by the count of three, or face dire consequences. Silat begins counting, but just as he’s about to attack, Guts interrupts by shouting “four” and swiftly defeats him. Jinwoo’s action is a clear nod to this iconic Berserk moment.

While Solo Leveling includes several nods to Berserk, the connection during the Red Gate arc is particularly noticeable. For example, Igris creating a smokescreen by slashing through the snow mirrors a tactic Guts uses in his battle against Silat. I’ve explored this sequence in detail, including how the dub actor, Aleks Le, enhanced the reference, in an article titled “.”

Ashborn is Solo Leveling’s Version of Berserk’s Skull Knight

As Jinwoo was about to be sacrificed, Ashborn intervened to save him, similar to how Skull Knight often rescues Guts in Berserk. But while Skull Knight directly fights the Godhand, Ashborn takes a different approach. He disrupts the Architect’s power by cutting off its access to the System and then gives Jinwoo his Black Heart.

I’ve noticed a really cool parallel between Berserk‘s Skull Knight and Guts, and Solo Leveling‘s Ashborn and Sung Jinwoo! It’s like they’re both mentor-student relationships born out of really tragic circumstances. Think about it – after Jinwoo’s near-death experience fighting those Monarchs, Ashborn steps up and starts sharing his power, almost because he sees himself in Jinwoo – and honestly, they were practically sharing a body at that point! It reminds me so much of the Skull Knight and Guts. The Skull Knight clearly wants to help Guts avoid the same awful destiny he went through, and he actively guides him to try and prevent it. It’s a really compelling dynamic in both stories!

Beyond sharing a dynamic with Jinwoo similar to the one between Guts and the Skull Knight, Ashborn also resembles the Skull Knight in how he looks. Ashborn’s dark armor and black horse are very similar to the Skull Knight’s appearance. Although we never see what’s under Ashborn’s helmet, it wouldn’t be shocking to discover he’s a skeleton, just like the Skull Knight. Since Ashborn can change his appearance whenever he wants, it’s ultimately his choice.

Min Byunggyu and Cha Haein Reinact Schierke’s Guts Rescue

The manhwa Solo Leveling includes several references to Berserk, particularly in its artwork, which seems heavily inspired by Kentaro Miura’s style. A clear example of this appears during the Jeju Island Raid Arc, specifically in Chapter 115 of the Solo Leveling manhwa. This chapter is a flashback to Haein’s memories from when she almost died on Jeju Island. In this flashback, she remembers being touched by Min Byunggyu, who then showed her just how powerful Jinwoo is as the Shadow Monarch.

As a fan, I’ve noticed something really cool! The way Min Byunggyu pulls Cha Haein back from… well, from being gone, is so similar to how Schierke saves Guts from the Berserker armor’s darkness. It’s not just a feeling, either – the scenes actually feel like mirrored versions of each other! It’s clever how Min Byunggyu’s dark armor makes him look a bit like Guts, and Cha Haein’s ghostly white appearance reminds me a lot of Schierke. It’s like the creators intentionally drew a parallel, and it’s awesome to see!

Kamish’s Rune Stone is a Replica of the Brand of Sacrifice

During the International Guild Conference arc in Solo Leveling, there’s a clear nod to the manga Berserk. When the American Hunter’s Association offers Jinwoo Sung’s Rune Stone, he surprisingly asks to view Sung’s remains. Jinwoo intends to absorb the power from them, but this only works briefly before the Shadow possessing Sung loses energy. Despite this, Jinwoo successfully obtains the Rune Stone, which unlocks the incredibly powerful Dragon’s Roar Skill for him.

The symbols on Kamish’s Rune Stone in the manhwa Solo Leveling are strikingly similar to the Brand of Sacrifice seen on Guts and Casca in Berserk. Since the meaning of the markings on Kamish’s Rune Stone isn’t explained within the story, it’s probably just a playful reference to one of the artist DUBU’s major influences.

Sung Jinwoo’s Final Solo Leveling Power-Up is Basically Just Guts’ Berserker Armor

Sung Jinwoo’s fight for survival is similar to Guts’ from Berserk, and his most significant power boost echoes Guts’ famous Berserker Armor. During his battle with Antares, Jinwoo learns to control his shadows in a new way, creating armor that allows him to fight on equal terms with the powerful Monarch of Destruction.

When Jinwoo transforms, Antares realizes he’s clearly faced death many times. This is similar to Guts, who is cursed with a brand that constantly threatens him with inescapable death. Ultimately, it’s this acceptance of death combined with a relentless fight for survival that gives both Jinwoo and Guts their incredible strength.

While the way Jinwoo’s Shadow Armor works is different from Guts’ Berserker Armor, the two are visually very similar in the manhwa. Notably, Jinwoo uses a large sword when wearing his full Shadow Armor, which is unusual for him, as he typically fights with daggers.

Solo Leveling’s Berserk Influence is More Than Skin Deep

The manhwa Solo Leveling contains numerous references to Berserk, but these connections seem to be primarily visual. This suggests that the artist, DUBU, was likely more directly inspired by Berserk than the original light novel author, Chugong. This makes sense considering Solo Leveling is known for its consistently stunning artwork, and Berserk is widely considered one of the most beautifully illustrated manga series ever created.

The huge success of the Solo Leveling anime likely stems from its clear inspiration from the classic manga Berserk. The series’ striking visuals and character designs were a big part of its popularity even before the anime adaptation. Understanding why Solo Leveling has connected with so many fans requires looking at both the story’s origins and the artistic influences behind its unique style.

While Solo Leveling clearly draws visual inspiration from Berserk, the connection goes deeper than just appearances. Sung Jinwoo’s journey as an underdog shares similarities with Guts’ story. Like Guts, Sung Jinwoo constantly faces death, which ultimately strengthens his appreciation for life, perhaps even more so than other characters. It seems the artist, DUBU, intentionally acknowledged these shared themes to add more depth to his work.

DUBU’s contributions actually made the world of Solo Leveling even more complex and unsettling than it already was. This influence, reminiscent of Berserk, adds layers to the story, creating a sense that hidden secrets are waiting to be revealed. Solo Leveling has always had surprisingly rich storytelling and background details, but the manhwa’s unique artistic style also played a crucial role in making Sung Jinwoo’s journey a worldwide success.

If you’re interested in learning more about the complex story of Solo Leveling, you can find my analysis in the first edition of “Solo Leveling is Deeper Than You Think.”

2025-11-09 03:43